Automatic transmission



July 14, 1953 c. R. ROCHE 2,645,137

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Filed May 16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 177' '0 NIKE July 14, 1953 c. R. ROCHE 21645,]37

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Filed May 16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 l'aa/Ia.

IN VEN TOR.

Cfiffon Foals.

E- if gm Filed llay 16, 1947 C. R. ROCHE July 14, 1953 mounxc TRANSMISSION I'm-l 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 14, 1953 c. R. ROCHE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 1-6, 1947 FTT'O y 14, 1953 c. R. Rod-IE 2,645,137

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Filed May 16, 1947 r 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 IPL mmvrox;

July 14, 1953 C. R. ROCHE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Filed May 16, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. liffon R Roclc.

y 1953 c. R. ROCHE 2,645,137

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Filed May 16, 1947 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I INVENTOR.

Cliff-on R Roce.

Patented July 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,645,137 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Clifton R. Roche, Los Angeles, Calif. Application May 16, 1947, Serial No. 748,382

41 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to change speed power transmissions, particularly for automotive vehicles. The objects of the invention may be broadly summarized as comprising the provision of an automatically variable transmission which is both improved in its operating characteristics and simplified in its construction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide such a transmission incorporating hydraulic torque converting means of the Foettinger type and also incorporating torque converting means of the planetary gear type, these two types of torque converting means being combined with a novel coacting control system and incorporated in, a mechanism of extremely simple and compact construction, which nevertheless provides the equivalent of four speed ratios, with added flexibility not obtainable, even in a four speed transmission, when gears are relied upon entirely for torque conversion, the parts of my improved transmission being so arranged that in normal use thereof the driving ratio is automatically selected in accordance with the speed and load conditions imposed upon the engine in its propulsion of the vehicle. A further object is to incorporate improved means whereby the driver may exercise effective supervisory control, which nullifies or overrules the automatic action of the transmission, whenever desired, as for example when the driver wishes to anticipate road conditions which he perceives, but which the vehicle has not yet encountered, or where the driver desires to lock the transmission in a reduced speed positive twoway drivin ratio, as for descending hills.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a transmission system incorporating planetary gears and overrunning clutches, and including a very simple and practical lock-up system for holding the transmission in a reduced speed two-way drive, which lock-up system is easily releasable and engageable at will and does not employ synchronizers, dog clutchesor other complicated controls or elaborate and expensive parts. A related object is to provide such a lockup system which does not require the actuation of clutches in accurately timed relation with respect to one another or with respect to synchronizers or other such devices and which, by the elimination of synchronizers, positive toothed clutches and the like, affords a construction more compact as well as simpler and less expensive to construct than presently known means employed for similar purposes.

Another object is to provide such a transmismultiplying reverse drive of a suitable ratio, which reverse drive employs no additional gearing over and above that provided for the forward speed drives, the arrangement also being such that no special free wheeling lock-up means is required during reverse drive.

Another object is to provide such an improved automatic transmission havinga hydrodynamic torque converter of the Foettinger type and which incorporates means for eliminating the undesirable effects of drag or transmission of torque through the hydraulic torque converter when the transmission is in neutral, By attainment of the last-mentioned object, an important advantage is imparted to the transmission in that manual shifting from forward to reverse is easily efiected without clash.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved hydrodynamic torque converter which at desired times functions as a simple hydraulic clutch of the Foettinger type, and

to incorporate in the controlling system for the hydrodynamic assembly means whereby the tendency of such assembly to cause objectionable drag is entirely eliminated even when, during automatic operation, the vehicle is standing with the engine running and the drive selecting or supervisory control means set in a driving position (either forward or reverse). Thus although the vehicle may be ready to move as soon as the engine is accelerated above idling speed by the simple act of depressingthe accelerator pedal, there is no tendency of the vehicle to creep. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that an objectionable tendency frequently encountered in automatic transmissions is the creeping effect commonly present under the conditions outlined. This tendency, with automatic transmissions of types commonly used and known, often requires the driver to keep one foot on the brake pedal, to prevent the car from crawling forward when the driver wishes the vehicle to stand still in traffic with the controls set for an immediate start upon opening of the throttle. The driver is thus required to simultaneously manipulate the accelerator and the brake pedal, requiring much more concentrated effort, and imposing wear upon the braking system. My improved transmission completely eliminates this objectionable aspect, by mechanism of very simple, inexpensive, and reliable character. In my improved transmission, when the accelerator pedal is completely released, all torque at the output of the transmission resulting from frictional drag within the hydrodynamic clutching and torque converting assembly is completely eliminated, and no drive can be transmitted from the engine to the driving wheels of the vehicle. Thus the objectionable tendency of the vehicle to crawl or creep in the manner referred. to is done away with, and the driver is not required to use the brake while driving in traffic except for its normal functions of stopping the vehicle or holding it against movement on hills or uneven roadways.

Still another object is to provide such an automatic transmission wherein changes of driving ratio are effected by power operating means without requiring the driver to exert physical effort, the action of the power operating means being regulated by a very simple and reliable control system requiring no accurate timing of clutch engagement and disengagement, the elimination of the necessity of such accurate timing rendering it literally impossible to lock the transmission in two ratios at once, even if, due to accident or breakage, the control elements should not function as intended.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved clutch means of the friction type incorporated in a single unit with hydrodynamic clutching and torque converting means, the friction clutch means being actuatable by hydraulic pressure and novel means being provided to eliminate unwanted effects of centrifugal force upon the action of the friction clutch and its hydraulic actuating means. It is also an object to incorporate novel fluid operated means to release the friction clutch when desired, the releasing means incorporating no springs and being much simpler and more compact than presently known clutch releasing mechanisms.

A further object is to provide an improved transmission control system incorporating novel automatic pressure regulating valves arranged to control the action of a hydrodynamic torque converter and also to control coacting hydraulically operable clutching means, and which system includes novel means for varying the action of such valves under the influence of factors which include the speed of the vehicle, the torque demand upon the engine, the extent of accelerator depression, and the will of the driver as expressed through the agency of the supervisory controlling means above mentioned.

Another object related to that last stated is to provide means for modifying the action of such a control system during periods in which the idling speed of the engine of the vehicle is increased concurrently with choking of the engine, as in cold starting.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a transmission having a controlling system of the hydraulic type incorporating a plurality of valves including valve means responsive to variations of vehicle speed for exercising a controlling function upon the transmission components, valving means responsive to the will of the driver and to the extent of depression of the accelerator for controlling the action of the principal ratio changing means of the transmission, and additional pressure responsive valving means exercising a supervisory function upon the operation of both of the aforementioned valving means.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an automatic transmission having a plurality of gear ratios which may be changed rapidly and virtually without interruption of power flow, without the employment of synchronizers, despite which shifting occurs without'clashing and more rapidly than is possible with conventional gear shifting arrangement in which synchronizers are used.

Still another object is to provide such a transmission having speed ratios at least equivalent to those of a four-speed gear transmission, allowing a high rear axle gear ratio with direct drive in high, and which further incorporates means whereby the torque converter is disabled in direct drive so that it does not generate heat while driving in high gear.

Still another object is to provide such a transmission utilizing clutches for changing speed ratios and which is so designed that the torque loads applied to the clutches never exceed the engine torque, as a result of which the dimensions and cost of construction of the clutches may be held to a minimum.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide such a transmission wherein the hydrodynamic torque converter functions during starting and slow speed driving both in forward and reverse.

Additional objects of this invention comprise the provision of such an automatic transmission which attains the foregoing and other objects and advantages (more of which will become apparent from the remainder of this disclosure), through the agency of mechanism which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and all parts of which are practical from a production standpoint, easy to machine, fabricate and assemble, and of rugged and reliable character.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a substantially central longitudinal vertical sectional view of a transmission constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the principal mechanical components of the transmission showing the paths of power flow therethrough in the several driving ratios;

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the control system and associated transmission components controlled thereby;

Figs. 5 and 6 are force diagrams;

Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Fig. 3 showing somewhat modified constructions;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary hydraulic diagram corresponding to a part of Fig. 4 but showing a modified construction;

Figs. 10, 11, 12 are fragmentary detail sectional elevational views on a larger scale showing valving features;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing another modification;

Fig. 14 is a thin cross section taken substantial- 1y on the line I l-l4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Figs. 3, 7 and 8, showing another modified construction; and

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing another modification Referring to the drawings:

Mechanical components of the transmission, general arrangement The transmission is indicated as housed in a casing, generally designated 4 and essentially conventional in character, its contour being such as to adapt it to be attached to and supported by the crankcase of an engine which is illustrated only fragmentarily, since its details form no part of my present'invention The crankshaft 6 of the engine is directly coupled to the pump portion I of the hydraulic torque converter, which is indicated as of conventional design. The hydraulic torque converter also includes a turbine member 2 and a reaction member 3. The reaction member 3 is freely rotatable in one direction, but is held against rotation in the opposite direction by an overrunning brake 5. The overrunning brake prevents the reaction unit from turning counter to the direction of rotation of the engine and the pump member I which direction is assumed to be clockwise as the assembly is viewed from the left, referring to Figure 1. During torque multiplication in thehydraulic torque converter, the reaction member will remain stationary, .but as the one-to-one ratio is approached, the reaction member will rotate in the direction of the pump and the turbine, and the torque converter then functions as a fluid clutch and flywheel assembly. The turbine 2 is connected by means of a sleeve 2A and a drum-type carrier 2C keyed to the sleeve with an internal toothed ring gear 'I of a front planetary gear set, generally designated 8, gear I being shown as integral with drum carrier 20. This set also includes the pinions 22 supported by a carrier 9 which is directly connected to and turns as a unit with the internal toothed ring gear III of a rear planetary gear set generally designated II. The planet carrier I2 of the rear gear set has an integral hub portion IZA keyed to the driven shaft I3.

Brake and clutch means are provided for selectively holding and releasing or locking together elements of the two planetary gear sets to provide forward and reverse drives. A clutch generally designated I4 is also provided to provide a positive two-way direct drive through the transmission.

The lowest speed drive is through the hydraulic torque converter and through both planetary gear-sets in series, and this drive is maintained until the speed of reaction member 3 approaches that of the engine. A clutch is then operated to lock up the front planetary unit 8, establishing a one-to-one driving ratio through this unit. The entire reduction is then through the gear reduction of the rear planetary unit I I. As previously indicated, the direct drive is instituted by engaging clutch I4 to directly couple the driven shaft I3 to the crankshaft 6.

The front planet carrier 9 carries .a set of friction clutch disks I5 which rotate therewith, and also carries as a part of the same rotatable unit a brake drum I5 and supplemental positive holding pawl means engageable with ratchet teeth IBA formed on the drum, whereby rotation of the carrier may be arrested. Clutch disk portions 33 coact with clutch disks I5, this clutch assembly being generally designated 26 and adapted to be applied by a pressure plate-piston member 32. A brake band [1, which is in effect anchored to the case 4, is arranged ,to grip the brake drum I6 to arrest rotation of the drum and the planetperiphery of the drum I9 to hold the same against turning and thereby lock thev sun gear I8 against;

rotation.

Thefront' sun gear I8 has a one-way driving connection with the sun gear 23 of the rear planetary set, the hub I8A of the sun gear carrying an overrunning clutch assembly 25 which supports and serves to drive a drum assembly 24 rigidly carried by the hub portion 23A of the rear sun gear 23. Overrunning clutch 25 acts in such direction as to permit the front sun gear I8 to rotate faster than the rear sun gear 23 in the direction of engine rotation, but prevents relative rotation of these gears in the reverse sense with respect to one another. The hub 23A of the rear sun gear 23 also supports a drum 26 with respect to which it has a one-way driving connection through an overrunning clutch 28. A rear brake band 21 anchored to the case is engageable with the .drum 26 to hold it against rotating. The overrunning clutch 28 acts in such direction that the rear sun gear 23 is thereby held against reverse rotation, but remains free to rotate forwardly in the direction of engine rotation.

Operation of mechanical components It will be assumed that the transmission is driven by an engine which turns the crankshaft 6 and the pump I clockwise, considering the parts as if viewed from the left in Figure 1; and it will of course also be understood that shaft I3 is mechanically connected to the rear wheels of the vehicle as by conventional propeller shaft and rear axle means (not shown). If all of the friction clutches'and brake bands are released, rotation of the pump I by the engine will rotate the turbine 2 and thereby the internal toothed gear I of the front planetary set. Both the front and rear sun gears I8 and 23 may turn freely and there is accordingly no reaction member for either sun gear. Under these conditions, the rear'planet carrier I2 which is directly coupled to the'propeller shaft remains stationary and the rear sun gear 23 and brake drum 26 are rotated in a reversedirection. The transmission is accordingly in neutral and no drive can be imparted to the rear wheels. -If now the rearbrake band 21 is applied to arrest rotation of the drum 26, both sun gears 23 and I8 will be stopped and held against rotation as the rear free wheeling unit 28 and the central free wheeling unit 25 are so constructed as to prevent a drive in the reverse direction, as previously indicated. The reaction from the forward sun gear is accordingly transmitted to the hub of the rear sun gear by way of overrunning clutch 25 and drum. 24 and thence to band 21 and the casing by way of overrunning clutch 28 and drum 26, the reaction of the rear planetary set being transmitted directly to the anchored band 21 by Way of overrunning clutch 28 and drum 26. At the lower driven shaft speeds, therefore, the drive is transmitted from the hydraulic torque converter by way of turbine 2 and internal ring gear I to the front planet carrier 9, which is turned forwardly at a reduced speed as the planet gears 22 are rolled upon sun gear I8. The drive from the planet carrier 9 is conveyed by way of sleeve 9A and drum IOA to the rear internal toothed ring gear II] which rolls the planet gears 31 upon sun gear 23, thereby rotating the rear carrier I2 at a further reduced speed and a double reduction being imparted to the propeller shaft through the two gear sets, the carrier I2 being keyed to the shaft I3, as previously indicated.

As the speed of the turbine 2 approaches that of the pump I the torque reaction upon the reaction member 3 in the reverse direction falls away and the torque multiplying action of the hydrodynamic unit diminishes, the effective driving ratio being thereby increased until the two gear units furnish substantially all of the speed reduction and the reaction member 3 turns with the turbine elements 2. When this condition obtains, the transmission may be considered to have attained second speed, although this entails no change of gearing or of clutch or brake setting, and the variation from first" to second entails a graduated ratio change as will be apparent.

If the clutch unit 20 is engaged by suitable means presently to be described in greater detail,

as by oil pressure introduced into the compartment 3| behind the pressure plate piston 32, the disks I5, 33 are forced together and the front planetary gear unit is locked up as previously explained. Under normal driving conditions, the hydrodynamic unit continues to function as a fluid flywheel clutch and the front planetary unit being locked up, the only reduction is that afforded by the rear planetary gear unit. The speed ratio is thus again increased, giving a driving ratio which may be designated third speed. The front sun gear [8 now overruns the rear sun gear 23, this action being permitted by the overrunning clutch 25.

If after the speed of the vehicle has increased and the torque demand has fallen away sufficiently, the front clutch I4 is engaged by any suitable means, as by oil pressure forced into the compartment 34 behind piston pressure plate 35, clutch plate 36, which is keyed directly to the shaft [3 as indicated at 36A, is clamped against the reaction plate 363 which is fast with and shown as constituting a part of the rotary pump and casing assembly I which, as previously indicated, is directly coupled to the crankshaft 5 of the engine. A direct positive two-way drive at one-to-one ratio is thus established between the driving shaft and the propeller shaft and all of the transmission components of a rotary character may turn together with the exception of the drum 26 which may remain held by the band 21, although this is a matter of choice and it obviously could be released at this time if desired, depending upon the preferred arrangement of the control system (presently to be considered). If the unit is so constructed that the band 21 remains applied under these conditions,

it will be seen that the hub 23A overruns the drum 26 at the overrunning clutch 28. Both the pump and turbine of the hydrodynamic unit are being driven at the same speed and hydraulic torque conversion is completely eliminated. The reaction member 3 will also rotate with the other members during direct drive, such rotation being permitted by the front free wheeling unit 5. There is thus no load upon the hydraulic torque converter and it does not generate heat during high gear driving.

If it is desired to use the engine as a brake. as in descending steep grades, both clutches I4, 20 are disengaged and the brake band 2| is applied to hold the drum [9, band 21 remaining engaged with drum 26. Both sun gears are thereby held against rotation since the front sun gear is directly connected to the drum [3, and the rear sun gear 23 is held against rotation by the overrunning clutch 25 as the rear sun gear will tend to rotate forwardly or clockwise as viewed from the left of Figure 1, thereby looking the overrunning clutch unit 25. The drive is then through both planetary gear sets, while under ordinary conditions the torque converter 8 acts as a fluid flywheel and this lock-up speed is accordingly at the same ratio as the previously described second speed drive although it is a. reversible or two-way drive providing for engine braking as indicated.

Reverse drive is accomplished without the addition of any extra sets of gears or clutches, utilizing the same planetary sets. Reverse drive is established from the neutral condition in which all clutches and bands are released as previously described, by engaging the forward brake band I! with drum Hi to hold planet carrier 9 against rotation. Supplemental positive toothed holding means is also provided to reduce the loading of the reverse brake band, and this supplemental means will be considered in detail hereinafter. When the carrier 9 is held, front planet gears 22 will rotate upon their pins, turning the front sun gear l8 in a reverse direction. The front sun gear I8 will then drive the rear sun gear in a reverse direction through the overrunning clutch 25, which is locked against relative rotation of its elements when driven in a reverse direction as previously indicated. Rotation of the rear sun gear 23 in a reverse direction will roll the rear planet pinion 31 rearwardly at a reduced speed upon the stationary internal toothed ring gear II], which is held against r0- tation by the engagement of brake band l1, since drum l6 and planet carrier 9 are directly coupled to the internal toothed gear by sleeve 9A and drum [0A as previously explained. The shaft i3 is accordingly carried around in a reverse direction at a reduced speed. The reduction effected by the rear planetary unit in reverse is greater than the reduction provided by this unit in the forward drives, because the smaller sun gear is used as the driving gear rather than the internal gear H] :which is utilized as the driver in the forward gear drives.

Considering typical ratios obtainable with such a transmission arrangement, by way of example, if the proportions of the front planetary unit are such that the transmitted torque is in the ratio of .6 in the reverse drive, the torque ratio of the rear planetary unit might be of the order of 3.5. An additional torque multiplication of the order of 1.64 may easily be secured from the hydraulic torque converter, so that this reverse drive provides a total torque multiplication of 1.64X3.5 equaling 3.44. This is only slightly less than the greatest torque conversion of the unit operating in low gear if the gears are proportioned approximately as indicated. The front planetary set when driving in a forward direction with the internal toothed gear constituting the driving member will give a reduction of 1.6 while the rear planetary unit driving forwardly gives a reduction of 1.4. With'the hydraulic torque converter giving a reduction of the order of 1.64, therefore, the total in first gear would be approximately 1.64 1.6 1.4 equaling a reduction of 3.67. When the torque converter reaches a driving ratio of substantial unity, the total reduction of course becomes 1.6 1.4, equaling a ratio of 2.24 for the socalled second gear, while with the rear planetary unit functioning alone, in the third speed drive the ratio is 1.4. These exemplary ratios are of course given only for the purpose of indicating the practical transmission designed in accordance with the invention by persons skilled in the art to fulfill the requirements of a typical passenger automobile, and are not intended in any sense as limiting the wide scope of applications 9 to which may improved transmission is believed to be adapted.

It will be observed that the engine may be started by pushing or towing the car when utilizing either the lock-up second speed drive or direct drive.

When the transmission is in neutral, with all brake bands released, assuming that the vehicle is standing still or that the engine is turning faster than the equivalent coasting speed of the vehicle, the overrunning clutch 25 tends to lock up, because, due to the drag of the parts, the drive from the engine tends to rotate the front sun gear |8 rearwardly, and although it also tends to rotate the rear sun gear 23 rearwardly, the rear sun gear is turned at a lower speed. If the friction drag in the rear planetary set should be greater than in the front set, this merely gives further assurance that the overrunning clutch 25 will lock up. The front planet gears thus cannot be spun at excessive speed, even if the engine should be speeded up, and the danger of undue wear of the planet gear bearings is avoided. It should also be noted that when the vehicle is allowed to coast in intermediate ratio, the rear wheels drive the turbine element 2 of the torque converter at 1 to 1 ratio. This is due to the fact that a reverse torque is applied to the freewheeling clutch 25, which looks it up at such time, and since clutch 20 is also locked up, both planetary gearsets are locked up and the drive is transmitted from the rear wheels through both the ring gear and sun gear of the rear unit to the carrier and sun gear of the front unit. This feature prevents the unduly severe deceleration which occurs with many designs if the accelerator pedal is released when the car is traveling in the intermediate speed. It also prevents undue churning of the oil and loss of efiiciency in the operation of the torque converter at such time, and further prevents a so-called bump upon a downshift.

- Contnol-systemzFZuid pressure supplying and regulating means [My improved transmission also includes certain'fluid pumping and valving means which are depicted more or less diagrammatically, since the mechanical details of their construction may be varied widely, as will be appreciated, and such details do not in themselves constitute important inventive features.

' Referring to Fig. 4, a front fluid supply pump 4| is provided, drivable by the engine of the ve whenever the engine is turning or the car is m motion. The maximum pressure is limited by a-safety return valve 44. A ball check valve 45 is also incorporated in the output of pump 42, to prevent this pump from drawing fluid from the supply line '43 when the motion of'the vehicleis reversed. Conduit 43 is connected to the] inlet port 46A of a pressure control valve 41 and is also connectedtothe inlet port 46B of apres 10 sure control valve 48. Pressure control valve 41 controls the fluid pressure in the torque converter, while pressure control valve 48 controls the pressure of the fluid employed to actuate the friction clutches and brake bands incorporated in the transmission. The expression, pressure control valve will be abbreviated, as PC valve hereinafter. These valves are of the spool type, as shown, and have corresponding circumferential grooves respectively designated 49 and 50 disposed substantially centrally thereof. Each valve is also provided with a drain outlet as 5! and 52. The drain outlets are connected to the sump by a return conduit which is fragmentarily indicated at 53. The controlled pressure output passage 54 from the valve 41 opens into the interior of the torque converter housing I. A branch passage 56 connected to the passage 54 leads to a chamber 51 under the stem of the valve 41, the stem portion contained within the cylindrical chamber 51 being somewhat reduced in diameter and constituting a piston portion designated 58. A spring 66 bearing against the opposite end of the valve urges it in a direction opposite to that in which it is urged by pressure in the chamber 51. An additional controlling force is exerted longitudinally upon the valve in the same direction as it is urged by pressure in chamber 51, the additional effort being exerted against the shouldered land 68 which is formed by the surface joining the reduced piston head 58 with the lower spool of the valve, A chamber 59 beneath the shouldered surface 68 is connected by a passage 55 to the casing 6|A of a valve 6| which when in the position shown in Fig. 4 allows the chamber 59 to be drained through a drain passage 62 connected to the sump. Passage 55 contains a restricted orifice 81. Valve 6| is urged to the right (as viewed in Fig. 4) by a helical compression spring 64. When the valve is moved to the left against the resistance of this spring, by means presently to be described, the drain passage 62 is out off and the chamber 59 is connected to the fluid supply conduit 43 by means of branchconduit 63.

Spring 66 is of such proportions as to impart to the valve 41 suchjcharacteristics that it may normally tend to maintain a suitable pressure in the controlled pressure conduit 54 and thus in the hydraulic converter housing I. Such pressure may, for example, be of the order of 45 lbs. per square inch.

The operation of the pressure control ,valve 41 is as follows: When there is no pressure in the supply passage 43, valve 41 is held down by spring 66 and the connection afforded by chamber 49 between supply port 46A and, control pressure passage 54 is accordingly wide open. TheQfirl-l pump pressure is thus at first admittedto the passage 54 upon starting, but as the pressure lifts the valve 41, throttling the port 46A and simultaneously partially. opening the escape port 5|. Conversely, when the pressure in the controlled pressure passage 54 drops below the desired value, the corresponding fall of pressure in compartment 51 permits the valve to move down, thereby tending to close off the drain and to open the inlet port 46A. These parts are so balanced as to tend to maintain a constant pressure in the torque converter casing If the valve 6| is moved to the left, however, pump pressure is also introduced into the chamber 59 to augment the closing effort exerted upon the valve by the pressure in chamber 51. The parts are so proportioned that the additional closing effort thus exerted upon the valve 41 throttles the main inlet port 46A to such extent that the controlled pressure in the hydraulic torque converted is thereby reduced to a lower predetermined value, for example, lbs. per square inch. It is thus possible to obtain a value of the order of lbs. per square inch, as previously indicated, with the valve 6| in the right-hand position shown in Fig. 4, and to reduce the pressure in the hydraulic torque converter to a constant lower value of the order of 10 lbs. per square inch when valve Si is moved to the lefthand position.

The parts are preferably so arranged that any leakage from the torque converter drains back to the sump. Since some leakage may be unavoidable when the car remains at rest for a long period, it is desirable to insure refilling of the torque converter as rapidly as possible upon starting of the engine. A passage 38 is therefore provided extending through the stationary hub portion 4A of the torque converter to connect the interior of the torque converter casing l with the atmosphere, preferably within the transmission gear casing portion 43, as best shown in Fig. l. The outer extremity of vent passage 38 terminates in a valve casing 61 within which a valve ball 63 is loosely arranged. The valve ball normally rests upon and tends to close oil a lower seat defined by the outer end of passage 38. When oil enters the casing I through the passage 54 upon starting, the valve 68 is lifted from this lower seat by escaping air permitting the air to escape as the filling of the casing with fluid continues. When the casing is filled with liquid to the level of the passage 38 and the liquid attempts to escape past the valve 68, the ball is lifted higher, due to the greater viscosity of the liquid, and is forced against an inverted seat 69 to seal the escape orifice 38A and thereby the passage 38, which is maintained closed by the ball so long as liquid under pressure is being delivered to the casing through the conduit 54.

PC valve 48 is constructed and functions generally like PC valve 41, with certain differences which will hereinafter-be more fully set forth. The controlled pressure output passage 10 from PC valve 48 is connectedby means of a branch passage H with a chamber 12 under the valve. Thte pressure thus introduced into chamber 72 tends to lift the valve 48 and to throttle'its inlet port 46B. The reduced lower extremity or plunger portion 13 of valve 48 is hollow and forms a partial housing for a spring 82 which augments the throttling effect of the pressure in chamber 72. The throttling forces are opposed by a helical compression spring 15 which urges the valve downwardly, acting through the agency of a stem 14. The spring '15 acts downwardly against a suitable abutment 15' attached to the stem, and reacts upwardly against a collar 16 which positions but is slidable upon the upper extremity of the rod.

The preloading of the spring 15 is adjustable by varying the position of the collar 76 through the agency of a bellcrank 'l'! fulcrumed upon a fixed axis indicated at 11A and pivotally connected to th collar 16 as indicated at 16A. The position of the bellcrank 11 is influenced by that of the accelerator pedal or other throttle operating means for the engine and the spring 15 is so proportioned that when the accelerator pedal is fully released or in the up position, the pressure in the control pressure passage (U is at a minimum, but such pressure is progressively increased as-thelaiccelerator is depressed in opening the throttle.

The maximum pressure which can be developed in the passage 10 is limited by an adjustable abutment screw A which limits clockwise rotation of the bellcrank H, as the latter is viewed in Figure 4. Clockwise rotation will be seen to increase the preloading of the spring 15 and the resulant pressure in the controlled pressure output passage 10. Over-travel of the accelerator beyond the full pressure position of the valve is permitted by a yieldable connection afforded by a spring 8| interposed between the throttle operated rod 80 and the bellcrank '11. These parts are connected by means of a link 18 which is provided at one end with a head 18A which overlies one side of the bellcrank arm 11, through which arm the link I8 projects in a freely slidable manner. The outer extremity of the link 18 is also headed, as indicated at 18D, and the helical compression spring 8| is interposed between the head 18B and a collar 190, through which collar the link 18 is also freely slidable. Collar 79C is carried for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to that of link 18, by a bellcrank arm 19 pivoted upon a fixed axis provided by a pin designated 79A. The rod 80, actuated by the accelerator, is pivotally connected to the lower extremity of the bellcrank arm 19. It will accordingly .be apparent that movement of the rod 80 to the left, which is considered to be the direction of movement resulting from opening of the throttle, exerts force upon the bellcrank 17 tending to rock it clockwise and accordingly to reduce the throttling effect of the valve 48 and increase the regulated output pressure in the manner previously described. It will also be noticed that closing movement of the throttle has no effect upon the position of the bellcrank 11 except that represented by relaxing of the springs 8|, 15, since the stem 18 is freely slidable through the collar 19C and through the opening in the lower extremity of bellcrank arm 11.

The spring 82 represents additional means for varying the controlled pressure output of PC valve 48, since the preloading of spring 82 is also subject to variation, preferably to compensate for differences in operation which normally result from choking of the engine during starting periods before the engine is warmed up. The choking means associated with the carburetors of gasoline engines of the types commonly used in present-day motorcars are ordinarily equipped with supplemental means to increase the idling speed of the engine while the carburetor is subjected to the choking effect. It will be appreciated that when the idling speed of the engine is thus increased, the pressure for engagement of the friction clutches and bands of the transmission, especially those used in starting the car, should be altered to compensate therefor if smooth operation is to be obtained under such conditions. The means (not shown) for choking the carburetor is accordingly connected by means of a flexible actuating wire 84 to a slidable abutment member 83 against which the lower extremity of spring 82 reacts. When the engine is choked, the wire 84 and the abutment 83 are moved upwardly, as these parts are viewed in Fig. 4, to increase the loading of spring 82. This will be seen to tend to close the inlet port 463 of the valve 48 and to reduce the pressure in the output line 10 for any given accelerator depression. In order to obtain suflicient pressure in line 10 to actuate the friction clutchesand bands, therefore, wider throttle fice 86. By reason of the restricted size of the orifice 86, compartment 85 serves as a dashpot to cushion the movement and prevent oscillation of valve 48. The restricted orifice 81 in the passage 55 leading to the corresponding chamber 59 at the lower extremity of PO valve 4! similarly dampens the movement of valve 41.

Control system Supervisory selecting means The controlled output pressure of the valve 48 is conducted through passage I to the body 89 of a selector valve 88. The selector valve may be movable by a hand-lever 90 which may be located in the driver's compartment in a position convenient t the driver, as upon thersteering column. The valve 88 and hand lever 90 are directly connected for corresponding movement, as by linkage means generally designated 9|, and the lever arm and valve are adapted to be placed selectively in any one of four positions, viz; the reverse position designated R. and in which the parts are shown in Fig. 4 or in the neutral position, the forward position, or the lock-up position, the last three mentioned positions of the lever being denoted in dot-dash lines in Fig. 4 and respectively designated N, F and LU. With the parts in the positioning shown in full lines, the-fluid flows to the selector valve casing 89 through the passage I0 and enters the valve casing through an annular groove 93. Five other similar annular grooves are spacedly formed along the interior of the valve casing and are designated 94, 91, I00, I03 and I05. Groove 94 communicates with the passage 95 which serves to conduct the fluid to a piston-type servomotor 96 which when actuated forces the reverse brake band I! against the drum I6. Groove 91 communicates through the passage 98 with a pistontype servomotor 99 arranged to similarly actuate the forward drive brake band 21 to clamp the same against and arrest rotation of the drum 26. Groove I00 communicates with the passage IOI through which fluid may be conducted to a similar servomotor assembly I02 which when'energized actuates lock-up brake band 2| to clamp the same against and arrest rotation of drum I9 to establish the lock-up or two-way second speed drive as previously described. Groove I03 communicates with a drain outlet I04 through which fluid may escape to the sump from the valve casing. Groove I05 communicates with a passage I06 through which fluid may be conducted to the body I01 of a speed responsive valve I24 presently to be described.

The selector valve 88 is also of the spool type, having three annular chambers designated I08a, I08!) and I080, and four lands or spool portions designated I09A, I093, I090 and I09D.

. With the selector valve in the reverse position shown in Fig; 4, the passage I06 is open to drain since the fluid may pass from the annular groove I05 through the valve body and out the open end IIO- which may drain into the sump.

When the selector valve is moved to the left '14 far enough to carry the spool portion I09A to the left of groove 94, the passage 95 may similarly drain from the then open right end of the valve casing, which may also discharge into the. sump.

The valve 88 is also provided with a longitudinal bore H2 which is closed at both ends and with openings I I3, I I4, providing communication between such bore and valve chambers I08A, I080 respectively.

The left end of the bore I I2 may be plugged by means of a combined plug and coupling member II2P which provides mechanical connection between the valve and the linkage means 9|. The piston 96A of the motor 96 is indicated as acting upon the brake band through the agency of a lever II5 which is connected to one end of the band by a link I I5A, the reaction of the opposite extremity of the band being transmitted to the casing portion 4B of the transmission through a link H9. Link II8 also serves to actuate supplemental reaction point means which will presently be described. A compression spring .II9 trapped between and reacting outwardly against the ends ofthe band releases the band and frees the drum I6 when the pressure within the motor assembly is released.

The selector valve is also mechanically coupled to the bell crank 11 in such manner as to influence PC valve 48 when the valve 88 is in lockup position. A rod I20pivoted to lever 90. is slidably fitted into a socketed element I2I pivotally attached to the bell crank arm 11. The interfitted rod and socket portions I20, I2I are of such length that they have no efiect upon the positioning ,or movement of the bell. crank 11 when the valve is in the reverse neutral or forward positions. Movement of the valve to the lock-up position, however, causes the outer extremity of rod I20 to bottom in the socket IZI and to move the bell crank lever 11 clockwise through a predetermined angle. This will be seen to decrease to a predetermined extent the throttling action of PC valve 48 and prevent the controlled pressure in passage ID from dropping below the desired-minimum value. This'value is sufiicient to insure adequate pressure within the servomotors 99, I02 sothat the force applied to their hands by these motors will be adequate to insure effective holding of the drums I9, 26 against slippage when the engine is being turned by the rear wheels under coast conditions in the lock-up drive. Itwill be noted that this arrangement does not tend to open the throttle, by virtue of the lost motion connection between the link I8 and bell crank TI.

Control system: Operation of selector valve With the valve 88 in the position shown, which position it occupies when the lever 90 is in position R, as illustrated, pressure is delivered to valve chamber I08A by conduit I0 and groove 93. The fluid under pressure is accordingly delivered to servomotor 96 by way of chamber I08A and conduit 95, and band I1 is accordingly forced against drum I6 to put the transmission in reverse in the manner previously described. The fluideoperated actuating means for all of the other clutches and brake bands are connected to drain at this time to insure their remaining in the released condition. Conduits 98 and IN which lead to the servomotor 99, I02 respectively, for the forward and lock-up drives, are connected to drain orifice I 04 by way of grooves 91,100, and valve chamber 108B. Conduit I06 throughwhich'fluid is supplied for ac-- 15 tuation of the clutches I4 and 20 is connected to drain opening IIO by way of groove I05 and the open left end of the valve casing 89.

When the lever 90 is moved to the neutral or N position, the valve 88 is moved to the left until the right-hand spool or land I09A lies just to the left of the internal groove 94 in the valve casing. Conduit 95 is thereby connected to drain through the then-open right end of the valve casing 89 while the other passages 98, NH, I06 also remain connected to drain in the manner previously described since the valve has not been moved far enough to carry any of the other lands I09B, I09C or I09D across any of the internal grooves in the valve casing. All of the friction brakes and clutches are accordingly released, and the transmission is in neutral as described in connection with the operation of the mechanical transmission components.

Upon movement of the lever 98 farther to the left to the forward position, the valve 88 is carried to the left until the spool I09A lies approximately midway between the grooves 93 and 94, the spool I09B is between the grooves 91 and I00, and valve chamber I08C registers with groove I05. The output pressure from PC valve 48 is now delivered to passage 98 and servomotor 99 by way of valve chamber I08A, and band 21 is applied to lock drum 26 to establish the low-speed drive in the manner previously described. Pressure is also supplied to the conduit I06 through opening II3, bore II2, and opening II4 which communicates with valve chamber I080 and thereby with groove I05 to which conduit I05 is connected. Passage 95 is open to drain through the right end of valve casing 89, while conduit IOI is still connected to the drain opening I04 by way of valve chamber I08B. Under the usual conditions, assuming the vehicle to be accelerating, the torque converting function of the hydraulic torque converter falls away as the speed increases, while both planetary gear trains remain in the line of drive and function in the manner previously described. During acceleration in low gear, the fluid supplied to conduit I06 has no effect upon the clutches I4, 20, but these clutches are rendered operative to establish the higher speed drives by speed-responsive actuating means for the valve I 22 presently to be described.

Upon movement of the lever 90 to the LU, or lock-up position, the valve 88 is carried further to the left. At this time spool I09A lies just to the right of groove 93, spool I 098 lies between grooves I00, I03, and spool I090 is just to the left of groove I05. The control pressure from the passage I0 is now delivered through both of the passages 98 and IOI by way of valve chamber I08A providing the lock-up second speed two-way drive in the manner previously described. The reverse brake band I! will remain released, since passage 95 remains vented through the right end of the valve casing, while conduit I06 is also connected to drain through valve chamber H183 and passage I04. Release of pressure from passage I06 disables the third speed and direct-drive clutches 20, I4, respectively, and the transmission accordingly remains in the two-way second speed lockup drive. At this time the position of the bell crank 11 is also shifted by engagement between the stem I 20 and the bottom of socket I2I, in the manner previously described, to increase the minimum output pressure of PC valve 48 to a value suflicient to insure full holding engage ment of brake bands 21 and 2I Control system: Speed-responsive means The speed-responsive control valve I22 is also of the spool type and is movable by governor means generally designated I30, drivable by any suitable means including the gear I38 from the transmission output shaft. The action of the governor accordingly bears a fixed relation to the speed of the vehicle. The governor is indicated as of a conventional variety including flyweights I3I acting through toggles I32-I33 upon the longitudinal position of a collar I28 which is coupled as by a yoke I26 to one extremity of the valve I22, the valve being thereby movable longitudinally in response to speed variations of the vehicle. Outward movement of the flyweights, and leftward movement of the collar I28 as the parts are viewed in Fig. 4, are opposed by a helical compression spring I36 encircling and carried upon the governor shaft I34. The collar is keyed to turn with the shaft by means of a keyway I35 which permits free longitudinal sliding movement of the collar. A similar collar I29 at the opposite end of the governor assembly is similarly keyed to the shaft in such manner that it always rotates therewith but is slidable therealong. Leftward movement of collar I28 is limited by a pin I35A which is located in but does not project above keyway I35. The governor shaft is supported near its ends by suitable bearings as I39I40. The yoke I26 is fitted into a groove I21 in the collar I28, permitting free rotation of the collar with respect to the yoke, and the yoke is attached to the projecting end of the valve by means of a screw I25 which also serves as a plug for an axial bore I23 which extends longitudinally through the valve.

The position of the collar I 29 is adjustable longitudinally along the governor shaft to vary the action of the governor, in response to the position of the accelerator pedal. An antifriction bearin MI is fastened upon the collar I23 as by means of the snap ring I42, and one arm as I45A of a bell crank I45 is formed as a yoke adapted to actuate the bearing assembly longitudinally and thereby to adjust the positioning of the yoke I29 when the bell crank is rocked. Bell crank assembly I45 is so connected to the bell crank 19 that clockwise rotation of bell crank I9 beyond a predetermined position imparts similar rotative movement to hell crank I45, although counterclockwise rotation of hell crank 19 has no influence upon the position of bell crank I45. This connection between the bell cranks 79, I45 is provided by a stem I44 pivoted to the lower arm I45B of bell crank I45 and slidably projecting into a socketed member I43 similarly pivoted to the upper arm 79B of bell crank 19. Clockwise movement of bell crank I 45 is limited by an abutment I4! and a tension spring I48 tends to return bell crank I45 counterclockwise to the position in which collar I29 lies at the left extremity of its movement. Opening movement of the accelerator moves rod 80 to the left, rocking both bell cranks I9, I45 clockwise and moving collar I29 to the right. This ends to load the spring I36 and to move the entire fiyweight and collar assembly of the governor to the right as viewed in Fig. 4, opposing the tendency of the governor to move the valve I22 to the left toward the high-speed position and accordingly resulting in delaying the upshift at wider throttle openings until the car 17 has attained a higher speed. It will be seen that this may also function to cause a down shift in response to wider opening of the throttle when the vehicle is traveling below a predetermined speed. It will also be appreciated that the oneway connection furnished by the telescoping parts me, te l prevents the governor from infiuencing the throttle setting.

Speed-responsive valve I22 is formed with three peripheral channels defining chambers I22A, I223, and I220, while the valve body is provided 18 manner describedsuch clutch is out off from the drain or outlet passage I5I by the land I52.

- In order to prevent the transmission from shifting down to a lower speed until the car speed has fallen below that at which the'last preceding upshift occurred, a single ball-detent arrangement is provided tending to delay the down shift. The

detent means is-indicated as comprising a pair of conventional spring-pressed balls i53 urged with four internal annular grooves designated IOTA, ID'IB, INC, and IU'ID. Groove IIA communicates with conduit I06, and it will be appreciated from the foregoing description of the operation of the selector valve that when the selector valve is in the F or forward position fluid under pressure from the output of PC valve 48 is also furnished to the interior of valve casing I61 through groove 101A. Groove IO'IB is connected by conduit means I49A, I49B to the actuating chamber 3| for the friction clutch 20. Communication between conduit I493 and the cylinder 3i is provided by channels best shown in Fig. 1, including a longitudinal bore portion IdfiB formed in shaft E3 and connected by suitable radial passages and grooves, extending through sleeve 2A and shaft I3 with a coupling portion 58D carried by the hub portion 4A and to which conduit MBA is coupled, the other extremity of bore M913 being connected by a passage M613 formed in the hub of drum I9 to the cylinder 3i. Internal groove I0'IC (Fig. 4) is connected by means of a conduit I50 to a system of passages leading to the actuating cylinder 34 of clutch Id. The system of passages for eifecting connection between the conduit I50 and cylinder 34 is also clearly shown in Fig. 1 and includes a coupling member I50A carried by hub 4A and to which conduit I56 is connected, a feed passage I50B extending to the hub through a suitable system of radial passages and peripheral grooves extending through the sleeve 2A and the shaft I3 to provide constant communication with axial bore portion I500 formed in the shaft, as an extension of bore portion M913 but isolated from bor portion men by a plug 92, and extending forwardly to open at its forwardly extremity within the actuating cylinder 34. Annular groove Ifl'iD (Fig. 4) is provided with a return drain connection to the sump 39 by way of opening I5I.

When the car is at rest and the accelerator pedal released, the governor valve I22 is in the position shown and the actuating cylinders 3I and 34 for the clutches 20 and I4 are both open to drain through valve chamber I220 and drain opening 551. If the governor moves the governor valve so that the spool portion I52 is to the left of internal groove lIl'lB, communication is established between conduit I06 and conduit I49A so that if the selector valve is in the forward position, pressure may be supplied to cylinder 3| to actuate the clutch 20 to establish thev thirdspeed drive in the manner previously described. If the speed of the car increases further and the governor resultantly moves the governor valve farther to the left so that the spool portion I52 passes to the left of groove I010, the controlled fluid pressure is thereby permitted to pass through conduit I50 and th passage means previously described to the actuating cylinder 34 for the direct drive clutch I l. Direct drive then becomes effective in the manner previously described. When either of the clutch cylinders 3I or 34 is connected with the supply passage I06 in the against the surface of the governor valve, which is provided with an appropriately positioned detent groove I55 having sloping side walls. A spool portion i55 of the full diameter of the valve separates the groove I56 from the valve chamber I220 and is joined to the reduced portion of the valve which defines the peripheral chamber 1220 by an inclined wall designated I51.

If the governor valve is moved toward the left in response to increasing car speed, as previously explained, the detent balls I53 move into the groove I56 as the valve reaches the position in which valve chamber I223 provides communication between fluid supplyconduit I06 and the passage I49A leading to the actuating means for the clutch 20. The valve is thus yieldably held in this position by the detent balls. As previously explained, such position of the speedresponsive valve is that corresponding to establishment of the third-speed drive. Since the left end of the valve upon which the balls ride before encountering the groove I56 is a straight cylindrical surface, the detents do not affect the speed at which actuation of the third speed clutch is effected, but the sloping sides of the groove do oppose further movement of the valve after it has attained the third-speed'p'ositiomso that greater effort on the part of the governor system is required to move the valve either back to the right hand position shown in Fig. 4 (which in normal operation would re-establish the second-speed drive), or to move the valve further to the left to the above-described position which establishes direct drive. In moving from the third-speed position to the fourth-speed position, the detent balls are required to ride over the land I55. They then pass down the sloping surface I5! as the valve moves to the position in which valve chamber I22B established communication between supply passage IDE and conduit I50 leading to the direct-drive clutch. It will be appreciated that the engagement between the detent balls and the fr'usto-conic surface I51 tends to oppose subsequent return movement of the valve I22 from the fourth-speed position to the third-speed position and that this is desirable both to prevent hunting of the valve and to enable the car to be slowed down in high gear under light loads without downshifting of the transmission. It will also be appreciated that if rapid acceleration is required while the car is moving slowly in fourth gear and with the detent means preventing down-shift movement of the valve I22, opening of the throttle by depression of the accelerator pedal will tend to move the governor assembly to the right in the manner previously explained and that this will induce a down-shift by imposing additional force upon the valve suflicient to overcome the detent means and move the valve to the right to the third-speed position.

In order to eliminate any tendency of the valve to develop a snap motion which might carry the detent groove I56 entirely past the balls under the inertial momentum it acquires because of the delaying action of the detent balls, a dash-pot effect is provided to control the rate of valve movement. The dash-pot system is shown as comprising a fluid well I53 connected by a restricted orifice I6I to a chamber I60 which encloses the right end of the valve I22. The valve thus acts as a piston which, if moved to the left, will draw fluid from the well through the bleed orifice ISI into the compartment I60, while if moved to the right, the valve will force fluid from compartment I60 through the bleed orifice and into the well I59, the rate of movement of the valve being thereby governed by the metering effect of the orifice I6I in the well-known manner. The damping action of the dash-pot assembly is sufiicient to prevent overtravel of the valve, eliminating any tendency of the valve to snap the groove I56 past the balls.

Control system: Anticreep means and automatic clutch pressure control The invention also incorporates means for increasing the output fluid pressure from PC valve 46 as additional clutches are engaged in response to leftward or up-shift movement of the speedresponsive valve I22. This additional means is also arranged to control the rate of such pressure increase in a manner to insure smooth engagement of the third speed and direct drive clutches. This additional controlling means performs the further function of preventing free wheeling in direct drive by insuring sufiicient fluid pressure to keep the forward drive brake band 21, as well as the clutches 20 and I4, engaged when the throttle is closed in response to release of the accelerator. It will be seen that without such supplemental controlling means the pressure would fall away under such accelerator release because of the relaxing'of spring This supplemental control means also makes it possible to so arrange the entire control system that when the vehicle is at rest and the accelerator pedal released, the forward-drive clutch is disengaged, automatically placing the transmission in neutral and eliminating any transmission of torque to the rear wheels resulting from the drag of the hydraulic torque converter. Such tendency in many transmission constructions causes the car to creep or move slowly forward when the driver wishes to hold the car stationary with the transmission adjusted for forward drive, as for example while the car is stopped in trafiic.

Th supplemental controlling means comprises a valve casing portion designated I66 shown as formed integrally with the common casing means for the PC valves 41 and 48 and for the supplemental regulating valve 6I. Casing portion I66 contains a cylindrical chamber I62 extending parallel to and beside the PC valve 48 and con taining a pair of opposed oppositely and outwardly facing hollow pistons I63, I64, urged outwardly away from one another by an interposed helical compression spring I65. Piston I63 constitutes a supplemental pressure regulating valve while the upper end of chamber I62 is open, exposing the head of piston I64, which functions as a tappet to actuate a rocker arm I61 pivoted on top of the valve casing as indicated at I61A. An integral arm I61Bextends over and is adapted to bear downwardly against the top of PC valve 48. The fluid supply passage 43 from the pumps 4|, 42 is connected to the lower extremity of cylinder I62 via a branch conduit I69 which contains a restricted'orifice I10. Between the restricted orifice and the chamber I62 a' branch conduit I12 is connected to the conduit I69 and leads to a port I13 formed in the side of speed 20 responsive .valv'e casing I01. Pressure admitted to the bottom of chamber I62 is adapted under certain conditions to force the piston valve I63 upwardly and so successively to expose ports I16, I80 formed in the side of casing I66.

When the speed responsive valve I22 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, piston valve I63 is not urged upwardly because the fluid under pressure passing through the metering orifice I10 may escape through conduit I12 and port I13 and through valve groove I22A of the speed responsive valve into the internal bore I23 of the last mentioned valve, which bore it enters through a radial opening I14 which provides communication between valve groove I22A and the internal bore.. The fluid then passes from the internal bore I23 through a radial opening I15 into valve chamber I22C, whence it may. return to the sump through escape port I5I. The pressure supplied through orifice I10 accordingly has no effect upon the position of the piston valve I63 when the speed responsive valve is in the position shown, in which the actuating means for the third speed and direct drive clutches are disabled.

When the speed responsive valve is moved to the left, to the third speed position previously described, groove I22A becomes disaligned with port [13 and the latter is sealed off by the smooth right-hand extremity of the speed responsive valve. The pressure. accordingly builds up under the piston valve I63 forcing the latter upwardly, increasing the loading of spring I65 and applying a supplemental downward force upon PC valve 48 through the agency of rocker arm I61. The pressure supplied via conduit 10 from PC valve 48 is accordingly increased when third speed clutch 20, is brought into operation by the speed responsive valve, During third speed operation, the piston valve I63 remains in a position such that its head lies above the port I16 but below the port I80, The overflow of pressure fluid then passes through the port I16 and a connected passage I 11 into the left end of the easing portion 61A for the valve 6 I. From this valve casing portion it escapes through the open left end I19, whenceit may return to the sump.

The passage I11 discharges into the side of the casing 61A through a port I18 which is so located as to be closed off when the valve 6I moves to the left. The right end of the valve chamber 6IA is connected to the conduit I50 by a branch conduit 65. Thus, whenever pressure is supplied to the conduit I50 to actuate the direct drive clutch I 4 the valve 6| is forced tothe left. Such leftward movement of valve 6|, by closing off the passage I11, causes the pressure to build up further under the piston I63, and such piston is then moved up until it uncovers the port I80, additionally loadingthe spring I65 and reacting downwardly upon PC valve 48 with increasing force and resultantly increasing the clutch actuating pressure delivered'from the last mentioned valve to the supply conduit 10. The over flow from the port I80 returns to the sump, while the pressure delivered tothe right end of valve 6] throughpassage 65 moves the valve BI to the left in the manner previously described, closes the escape port 62 and connects the chamber 59 beneath PC valve 41 to the pump supply line 43 by way of branch conduit 63, as also previously described. The pressure delivered to the hydraulictorque' converter casing I by way of conduit 54 is thus, substantially reduced whene'v'ef'clutch is actuated by delivery of fluid pressure to cylinder 34 by way of conduit I50.

21 Since the pressure delivered to the torque converter casing tends to oppose the pressure delivered to clutch actuating cylinder 34, it will be understood that less pressure is required to actuate the clutch l4, by virtue of this arrangement, than would otherwise be required. When delivery of fluid under pressure to conduit I50 is cut off, to release the clutch l4, the resulting release of pressure at the right end of valve 6| permits the last mentioned valve to again move to the right under the influence of spring 64 and the output pressure of PC valve 41 again rises, to increase the pressure within the hydraulic torque converter casing. The pressure developed within this casing reacts against piston 35 and insures complete release of clutch I4 although, as will be apparent, no release springs or other special releasing mechanism is required. Openings as 360 are formed in clutch plate 36 to insure free access of fluid pressure to the right side ofpiston plate 35 while maintaining a balanced pressure upon both sides of the clutch,

Control system: General operative and design considerations Although it is believed that the operation of the control system will be understood from the foregoing by those skilled in the art, some generaldiscussion of various aspects of its design,

operation and performance may be helpful. When the engine is running or the car moving, fluid under a predetermined pressure, which is limited by the pressure limiting valve 44, is delivered to conduit 43, and this pressure is supplied to both of the PC valves 41 and 48. The controlled pressure from PC valve 41 keeps the hydraulic torque converter casing filled and controls the pressure therein. The maintenance of a relatively high pressure, for example of the order of 45 lbs. per square inch, under normal operating conditions, within the casing I is conducive to more efiicient operation of the torque converter, with many torque converter designs, but even if a lower pressure is utilized within the hydraulic torque converter, the pressure delivered to its casing will be ample to positively disengage the clutch I4 by its reaction against the large diameter pressure plate piston 35. It will be recognized that this method of providing for disengagement of the clutch l4 not only considerably simplifies the construction of this clutch but renders the assembly more compact and trouble-free. Pressure resulting from the action of centrifugal force upon oil within cylinder 34 is counterbalanced by the centrifugal effects of oil within the compartment I upon the other side of the plate 35, so that centrifugal forces upon plate 35 are substantially balanced at all times, and particularly when the clutch I4 is released it will be recognized that oil may be accommodated between plate 35 and annular wall 36B to counteract the centrifugal effect of oil within the cylinder 34. On the other hand, it will be observed that if the hydraulic torque converter is so designed that a relatively high pressure is employed within the torque converter casing, an even heavier pressure would be required to engage the clutch I4 were it not for the automatic pressure reducing function of 22 the valve 6| which, cooperating with PC valve 41, causes a pressure drop within the hydraulic torque converter casing concurrently with the engagement of clutch l4. This arrangement is possible by reason of the fact that it is never necessary to engage the clutch l4 when the hydraulic torque converter is functioning either as a torque converter or as a hydraulic clutch.

Even if the hydraulic converter is functioning as a simple hydrodynamic clutch to transmit torque, however, it is not necessary that the casing be under substantial hydrostatic pressure, so that the pressure supplied to the casing I through conduit 54 may be reduced very substantially, for example to 5. or 10 lbs. per square inch, without interfering with the ability of the hydrodynamic assembly to transmit torque at its maximum speed ratio (closest to l' to 1) while as previously explained the pressure required to operate the clutch I4 is thereby reduced very substantially.

Since upon starting the pressure from supply passage 43 passes directly into the torque converter, by reason of the fact that PC valve 4! stands in the open (down) position when the system is at rest, the pressure builds up very rapidly within the torque converter casing, but this pressure is throttled gradually, as it approaches the desired value, by the closing effect of the pressure transmitted to the chamber 51.

The spring I5 and the linkage reacting upon the PC valve 48 are preferably so designed that when the accelerator is fully released the controlled pressure output of PC valve 48 is not high enough to actuate the brake bands or clutches, while such pressure may be gradually increased by depression of the accelerator, so that the rate of clutch engagement may be controlled by the operator. Another result of this arrangement is that with the engine idling the operator may place the hand lever many driving position, and the car will not move until the accelerator is depressed. As also previously pointed out, moving the control lever to any driving position from the'neutral position does not cause the car to tend to creep since the transmission is in a. completely neutral condition with all bands fully released until, by depression of the accelerator, one of the bands is caused to engage.

The arrangement of my improved control system not only gives the operator direct supervision over the rate of clutch engagement but insures smooth engagement of the brake bands and clutches under all conditions. It will be appreciated that the torque converter may have a substantial drag torque when theengine is idling under normal conditions, while the drag torque will be even greater under high-idle conditions when the engine is cold. This torque must be transferred smoothly when engaging the forward drive brake band or reverse drive brake band, and the engagement must be rapid enough so that the brake band is engaged before the engine has speeded up materially, to prevent the car from being started by the brake band instead of through the torque converter. The proper rate of engagement of the brake band is easily obtainable by properly designing the linkage connecting the accelerator with PC valve 48 and proper design of the spring I5. It is obvious that a light accelerator start, that is a gradual start resulting from light pressure upon the accelerator, does not speed up the torque converter very much and the engagement of the brake band can be relatively slow, and. that this desirable. action occurs byreason. of the fact that relatively. low. pressure is exerted upon the spring 15 and resultantly upon PC valve 48 under these conditions. Upon a fast start, however, with heavy pressure upon the accelerator, the engine will speed up rapidly and the brake band must be engaged. rapidly to insure that the starting load is taken by the torque converter rather than by the band itself, and this action is accomplished by the increased output pressure of PC valve 4,8. resulting from the heavier downward force. exerted upon this valve by the spring 15 in response to. the heavier accelerator pressure.

Under high=idle cold. starting conditions, the drag torque of the hydraulic torque converter is so. great that the brake. band is required to. take the load involved in starting the car. It is de-.-. sirable in this case to. slow up the rate of engagement of the forward drive brake. band with relation to the accelerator setting, to insure a smooth start. This change of rate of engagement is accomplished by the connection between the biasing member 8.3 andthe choke or idling control of the carburetor. of the engine. Member 83 acts, as previously explained, to. oppose. the pressure of spring 15 during. choking or high idling periods, so. .thatit requires greater move: ment of the. accelerator to obtain a given controlled clutch actuating pressure in the output supply line. l leading from PC valve 48 to the actuating .means for the clutches and brake bands.

With the. car accelerating in the. low speed drive, the'slip of. the.hydraulic torque converter gradually decreases until the torque reaction upon. reaction. member 3. reverses in direction and the. torqueconverter thereafter acts as a simple fluidcoupling to. permit the. car to be accelerated through the two planetary gear trains up to. the speed at which the. upshift to. third occursunden the prevailing conditions. It

will be. appreciated that the engagement Of the.

third speed clutch 20 occurs at a speed which is a resultant of. two. factors, viz; can speed and accelerator position. The clutch. 20 is of the multiple. disk type which will engage smoothly with. an. engaging pressure. in excess. of the pres-. sure just required to. prevent the clutch from slipping. It is therefore notnecessary to raise the clutch. engaging fluid. pressure by raising the piston. valve 1.6.3, toprovide a safety factor, as the. area of the actuating piston plate 32 for clutch 20 may be large enough to, allow the p oper afety. factor. clutch were used. for third speed, such asone of the type, of single disk clutch l4, valve l.6.3 could be employed to increase the pressure after clutch engagement as a safety factor, as, will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.

h b eed hol U". which co tr s h at of movement ot the clutch pressure control valve 163. is oi very small size, so thatthis valve may move only very slowly, assuring; smooth clutch engagement even though the initial con trol ressure. n given c lerato s tles is. t uiies oush o fully ga th lutchos on. o the isc ar O fi 80 s h h e u h oiesure .t. the a s w ll i se u i ient y to n ur slcquats utpu s r om.

C al ect nic as o sa et f c or for e cl tch 0. clutches, In. a ition to insurin smoothv l tch ac ua on, the pr r trollin valve. l 63. functions. to prevent free wheeling upon lifting; the footirom the accelerator under con-v I f a. difierent type. f.

ditions such that the controlled pressure would drop to a point where the rear wheels could not turn over the engine through the clutch. The position of the discharge orifice I is high enough, however, so that the total downward pressure on the PC valve 48 insures adequate minimum pressure within the conduit 10 under these conditions to impart adequate torque capacity to the clutch for engine braking without danger of clutch slippage in high gear.

With further reference to the considerations involved in the obtaining of smooth engagement of the clutches and brake bands, it has been found that to obtain smooth engagement of a single plate type disk clutch the torque of the engine should be just about or slightly greater than the. torque capacity of the clutch. The torque of the engine is related to the accelerator setting, and in my construction, therefore, the pressure control valve 48 is so connected to the accelerator by the linkage and spring means above described. as to give a controlled output pressure related to the diameter of the clutch actuating piston in such manner as to impart to the clutch a torque carrying capacity properly related to the accelerator setting, or in other words which enables the clutch to carry a torque load which is approximately equal to or slightly less than the engine torque developed at any given accelerator setting.

At light accelerator pedal pressure, the engine torque is low and the torque capacity of the clutch (that is, the maximum torque which will not cause slippage of the clutch) must be low for smooth engagement, while at greater accelerator depression and higher engine torque the torque capacity of the clutch must be correspondingly higher. The pressure control valve 48 is capable of accomplishing proper torque balance between engine and clutch with high accuracy but it will be seen that in operating at or close to such balance, with a maximum clutch capacity about equal to the torque to be transmitted, slippage would obviously occur at times and rapid clutch wear could be expected. The supplemental clutch pressure control valve "53 and the means interconnecting it with the main pressure valve d8 provide means whereby the torque capacity of a clutch may be increased to a safe operating value providing an adequate safety factor while yet allowing low initial clutch capacity for smooth engagement.

In direct drive, it will be noted that the clutch I4 by-passes the hydraulic torque converter. This is advantageous for the reason that the torque converter would under such conditions be acting as a hydraulic clutch and when so operating such torque converters are not highly efiicient, resulting in considerable slip and heat generation.

Both the governor operated valve H2 and the selector valve 88 provide for rapid release and draining of the actuating systems of clutches which are disengaged, and the operator may freely move the control lever Qllrapidly to any desired position without danger of simultaneous improper engagement of bands or clutches.

Optional supplemental reaction means for low speed and reverse drives It will be seen that if the brake bands I! and 2| are, relied upon to hold the. drums l6 and I9 plemental holding means. for these drums, the

25 loading of these bands might become relatively high so that in, the practical designing of a transmission, depending upon the intended loading of the parts, it might be necessary either to use large drums or to apply relatively heavy forces to the bands. It is, of course, desirable to hold the proportions of these parts down to the smallest practicable size, particularly in automobile transmissions, and the use of great forces is undesirable also, particularly since it results in heavy bearing loads and accordingly tends to shorten the life of the transmission.

In the case of the transmission illustrated in Fig. 1, if the reverse ratio for the gear train is of the order of 2 to 1, the torque required to hold the reverse brake drum, not including any torque increase that may occur in the hydraulic torque converter, is the engine torque times the gear ratio plus the engine torque, or Q 2+Q=3Q; Q representing the engine torque. If the hydraulic torque converter doubles the engine torque input, the actual torque required to hold the drum becomes 6Q in reverse at full load. With a construction such as that shown in Fig. l, the result of this situation upon bearing loads may readily be perceived. If the engine torque is of the order of 2400 inch pounds, 14,400 inch pounds will be required to hold the reverse brake drum 16 against rotation at full load, and if the radius of the drum is 3 inches, the reaction force will be 4800 pounds. With the brake band anchored at one point, the resulting bearing load will also be 4800 pounds, as indicated in the simple force diagram, Fig. 5.

As the brake band is applied rapidly upon depression of the accelerator to start the car, so that the actual starting load is taken by the hydraulic torque converter rather than by slipping of the brake band, the brake drum is stopped before the engine has developed more than a small percentage of its full torque capacity.

The mechanism whereby this difficulty is overcome is best illustrated in Fig. 2. As there shown, the effort applied to the reverse band actuating piston 05A is transmitted to one end of the brake band il through th agency of a lever H5 and a link IIEA connected to one end of the band. The resulting torque upon the band is applied to another link I I8 similarly connected to the opposite end of the band. The other end of link I I8 is pivotally connected to one arm of a lever I 18A pivoted as at HBB upon a suitably formed supporting bracket portion H8O integrally carried by the internal wall of the case 4B. The other arm of the lever H8A extends upwardly within the case, its upper extremity bearing against an integral lug I'IA forming an actuating arm for a pawl I'IB pivoted upon a fixed pin I'IC carried by the case. The nose portion ill) of the pawl is movable to and from holding engagement with an annular series of ratchet teeth ISA carried by the rim of the drum it. The pawl is urged toward released position by. a helical compression spring [1E reacting against the lug portion HA upon the side opposite to that engaged by the lever H8A, the spring being carried and guided by a stem assembly llF slidably fitted in a suitable guide hole (undesignated) in the interior of the casing, the outer end of the stem bearing against lug portion HA.

The reverse brake-applying motor assembly 96 may be so proportioned that it is capable of supplying only a fraction of the maximum force required to h ld e drum against rotation at full load. For example, if the total reaction at full load is of the order of 4800 pounds, as indicated above, the total holding force applicable to the brake band by the motor may be but one-third of that figure, or 1600 pounds. The heavier loads, running up to the indicated maximum, are taken by the pawl assembly IIB which, it will be noted, is located opposite the first reaction point represented by the endof the brake band. The parts are so designed that the pawl is engaged before the reaction force reaches the maximum applicable by the brake, illustratively considered to be 1600 pounds, so that-slipping of the drum can never occur. It will be seen that with the reaction points arranged opposite to one another, the bearing load will be zero, with the pawl engaged, until the maximum holding force applicable by the band is reached. After this force is exceeded, that is after the total required holding force passes 3200 pounds, bearing loads are created. However, for maximum engine torque, which produces a reaction force of 4800 pounds under the illustrative conditions assumed, the total bearing load would amount to only 1600 pounds, as indicated by the force diagram, Fig. 6.

The action of the mechanism brings the brake drum to a stop quickly but without severe shock, and the pawl is then applied to help take the torque reaction and to reduce the bearing load. This arrangement greatly reduces the necessary size of the brake drum and the force necessary to be applied to the brake band, as will be appreciated.

It is obvious that two such supplemental anchors could be employed instead of one as above described, which with the reaction force on the link H8 would give three reaction points, and if .placed from each other, the resultant bearing load would then be zero as the maximum reaction force could be 1600 pounds for each anchor point.

Without supplemental means to assist the holding effort of the forward drive brake band 21, it will also be appreciated that a relatively large force would be required to hold the forward drive brake drum 26, particularly in low gear under conditions at or close to a stall and with the engine delivering maximum torque. It has heretofore been considered that the forward brake band 21 takes the torque reaction of both sun gears in the first speed drive, but while the transmission could be constructed and arranged to operate in this manner, I preferably use the lock-up brake band 21 to assist the forward drive brake band 21 in first gear under heavy loads. Since the drum [9 is formed rigidly with the front sun gear l8, the full reaction of the front sun gear is taken by the lock-up brake band 21 when the latter band'is engaged. At such time, therefore, the forward drive brake band 21 is only called upon to take the reaction of the rear sun gear 23. Since smaller forces are thus required at the band, this arrangement makes it possible to eliminate levers or other force multiplying means and to apply the thrust of the hydraulic motors 99, I02 directly to their brake bands.

It will be noted that the lock-up brake band 2! is not only applicable by the servomotor I02, which acts upon one end of the band, but is also applicable by a second servomotor 2I0 reacting against the opposite end of the band. The cylinder of the servomotor 2l0 is connected by conduit means M2 to two ports 2M, 2l5 formed in the side wall of the speed-responsive valve casing l0'l. Port 2 l4 communicate with an internal annular 

